Written by Dan Green
Dan Green
Dan Green (NMLS 227607) is a licensed mortgage professional who has helped millions of people achieve their American Dream of homeownership. Dan has developed dozens of tools, written thousands of mortgage articles, and recorded hundreds of educational videos. Read more about Dan Green.
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Updated: September 17, 2024
Home buyers appreciate great neighbors and neighborhoods.
A Bank of America study showed that home buyers value connected communities, and nearly two-thirds said “neighborhood quality” is their number one reason for choosing where to buy — higher than home affordability even.
Strong communities and neighbors improve your life and offer safety and social wellness.
So, after you move in and finish your home maintenance checklist, make plans to meet your neighbors.
This article lists 34 ways to meet your neighbors, from passive activities like sitting on your porch to more active endeavors like joining a homeowners association. You can also use these ideas to make money with your new home.
Plan a housewarming party after moving in. Clean and prepare your home. Decide on the food and drinks. On the party day, welcome your neighbors and show them your home. Engage in friendly conversations. Talk about the neighborhood. Listen to stories.
A housewarming party is a good step towards building relationships.
Bake something sweet at home. It can be cookies, brownies, or a cake. Take your treats to your neighbors. Introduce yourself when you deliver your packages. Share where you moved from. Ask your neighbors about their time in the neighborhood. Food helps start friendly relationships.
Host a neighborhood dinner party. Invite your immediate neighbors and plan a balanced menu to meet everyone’s dietary needs. During dinner, engage in deeper conversations about local shops, parks, and schools. Get to know your neighbors and your community.
You’re new in the neighborhood but don’t hesitate to ask for small favors. It can be something simple like borrowing sugar. Later, return the favor. For example, you can help a neighbor with yard work or take in the trash cans. Doing favors builds trust among neighbors.
Check if there’s a local book club and consider joining it. Book clubs are an excellent way to meet people with similar interests. Discuss your views on the chosen book and listen to others’ interpretations. A shared love for books can help foster meaningful relationships.
If there’s no neighborhood book club, think about starting one.
If you and your dog moved into a pet-friendly home, make doggy playdates with your new neighbors’ furry pals.
Choose a location like your yard or a local dog park. Bring toys and treats for the dogs and make it a dual ice-breaker for you and your pet. Take lots of photos, share them with the group, and grab our doggy date printout below.
Spending time in your front yard and on your porch is a terrific passive way to meet and greet new neighbors. Say hello when people walk or run by. Greet your neighbors who walk their pets. Start friendly conversations and get to know your community.
Your local homeowners association (HOA) is served by neighborhood residents, so joining the HOA is a direct way to give to the community and meet your neighbors. After moving in, attend HOA meetings and volunteer to join the board. Plan local events, manage dues, and offer ideas to improve the community. Listen to what your neighbors say. Share your thoughts too.
Volunteering your time and skills is an excellent way to make new relationships. Ask about your neighborhood’s cleanup crews, community gardens, tutoring opportunities, and other available work. You can also volunteer for city organizations, like the local animal shelter if your neighborhood opportunities are limited.
Invite your neighbors to a planned photo scavenger hunt. Make a list of items and landmarks to photograph in the neighborhood and let everyone take photos in their personal style. Share the pictures afterward. Scavenger hunts can be fun to explore your new community and share experiences with your neighbors.
If your new home has a pool or the neighborhood has a community pool, use it to meet your neighbors. Plan a neighborhood pool party for a weekend day or weekday after work. Provide pool games and food. Ensure safety for all, especially kids. Suggest everyone bring a dish. Pool parties are a low-key way to interact with your new neighbors.
Make Neighborhood Game Night a can’t-miss activity.
Arrange for a one-time or weekly night of party games that are easy, inclusive, and fun. Games create laughter and bonding. They’re a good way to meet your neighbors in a relaxed setting.
We created a game night tournament bundle to help welcome your neighbors. Download it below.
Set up a movie night for your new neighbors. Choose a popular or classic movie that appeals to grown-ups and kids. If you have an outdoor projector and the weather is nice, host in your new backyard. Offer popcorn and soft drinks. Movie nights allow for relaxed conversations.
Plan a neighborhood talent show and make it fun. Invite everyone to participate. Talents can be anything – singing, dancing, magic tricks. Talent shows are a fun way to learn about your neighbors and discover hidden talents. It’s wholesale entertainment for the neighborhood.
Organize a fun-for-all-ages scavenger hunt around the neighborhood. Make it fun and challenging. Invite all your neighbors to participate. Scavenger hunts can encourage teamwork and create enjoyable interactions with your neighbors. It’s a fun and active way to spend a day.
Related: Try this New Home Family Scavenger Hunt.
Schedule a fire truck visit with your local fire department. Kids love to explore fire trucks and learn from firefighters, while adults can learn valuable fire safety lessons. The fire department may also bring goodies like plastic fire hats or badge stickers, or you could prepare favors and treats for the kids.
Celebrate the changing seasons with your neighbors. Invite your neighbors to events like spring picnics, solstice parties, and winter snowman competitions. Seasonal events are a good way to share joy, and meet and interact with your neighbors.
Buy a bucket of sidewalk chalk and invite your neighbors for a sidewalk art event. Choose a seasonal or citywide theme, then let creativity run wild. Sidewalk chalk is a fun activity for all ages, bringing color and vibrancy to neighborhood streets. Making art or doodles is a low-key way to relax with your neighbors.
Plan a family-friendly neighborhood bike parade and invite all the bikers in your neighborhood to join. Choose a safe, bike-friendly route and decide on a time. Make themed invitations and put them on doorsteps or mailboxes. Bike parades are an active community event that everyone can enjoy.
Plan a neighborhood 5K walk/run and invite your neighbors to participate. Create a theme and make silly prizes for Best Finish, Best Costumes, and Best Signs. Keep the event relaxed to maximize neighborhood participation. Whether running together or cheering each other on, community 5ks are friendship-building events.
Organize a joint yard sale and include your new neighbors. Invite each home to sell items they no longer need. Yard sales are a practical way to declutter and an opportunity to interact with neighbors and trade goods. Chat about items for sale and get to know each other better.
If it’s safe and allowed in your neighborhood, host a Friday Night bonfire at your home. Invite your neighbors to roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and hang out. Bonfires are a cozy way to spend an evening. It allows for relaxed conversations with your neighbors.
Plan a neighborhood grill-off and host it at your new home. Invite your neighbors to grill their best dishes and make their sides. Add a friendly competition with simple trophies and awards if you want. Grill-offs are a delicious way to spend a day while enjoying good food and making good conversations.
Find a common neighborhood area for a garden. Invite your neighbors to join. Each person can manage a plot. Share the produce. Gardening together lets you work with your neighbors on a project and allows you to reason to talk regularly with your neighbors.
Related: A list of good luck plants to energize your new home.
Plan a charity drive. Choose a cause and invite your neighbors to contribute. Collect items or funds. Donate them to the chosen charity. Charitable work brings your neighbors together for a cause and provides an opportunity to meet and talk.
If you have kids, plan a play date. Invite other neighborhood children to your home for the first play date. Parents can rotate hosting for future get-togethers. Safe social settings help children make friends and parents find support.
If you like to exercise, start a neighborhood fitness group. Invite your neighbors to join. It could be running, yoga, pickleball, or anything else. Make a schedule and a meeting place. Use sports to build relationships.
Start a friendly neighborhood decoration competition. Create awards and prizes for best decorations, most creative, and best theme. Decorations can make a neighborhood festive any time of year. The light-hearted competition also allows you to interact with neighbors fun and casually.
Organize a neighborhood clean-up day. Find a nearby spot that needs attention and do a community deed. Provide gloves and trash bags for everyone participating. Neighborhood clean-ups improve your local curb appeal and bring you closer to your neighbors.
Related: Curb appeal ideas to brighten up your home.
Plan a discussion about your neighborhood’s history. Invite long-term residents to share their experiences and what they know. Newer residents can learn about the neighborhood and its heritage. Discussions about the area foster an appreciation for the community and provide a unique opportunity to hear your neighbors’ stories.
Plan an international food day with your neighbors and host it in your home. Each person can cook and share a favorite dish from their culture with the community. Food events are delicious and let you experience the different cultures in your community.
Organize a walking group with your neighbors. Choose a regular date and time to begin and a route that starts at your home. Rotate among participants for pre- and post-walk beverages and light fare. Walking groups promote fitness and casual conversation.
If you have a skill, share it with your neighbors. Plan a workshop and teach your neighbors how to paint, cook, garden, or anything else. Teaching is a terrific way to make relationships and interact with neighbors in a positive setting.
A block party is the ultimate way to celebrate with your neighbors and greet everyone at once. Your HOA may have planned annual block parties; if not, you can organize the party with neighborhood volunteers.
A happy and healthy neighborhood starts with conversation and collaboration.
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What is a Starter Home?
Home buyers appreciate great neighbors and neighborhoods. A Bank of America study showed that home buyers value connected communities, and nearly two-thirds said “neighborhood quality” is their number one reason for choosing where to buy — higher than home affordability even. Strong communities and neighbors improve your life and offer safety and social wellness. So, […]
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